SODIUM AND POTASSIUM CONTENT OF SELECTED SPICES, CONDIMENTS, NUTS, OIL SEEDS AND READY TO RECONSTITUTE (RTR) MIXES MARKETED IN URBAN BARODA

摘要

India has been recognized all over the world for spices and medicinal plants1. The uses of spices In food preparation have been practised widely since ancient times. Spices and condiments act as digestive stimulant and have a role in enhancing the taste and flavor of food. Spices and condiments are also added to ready to eat and ready to reconstitute mixes such as idli mix and soup powder. Due to rapid industrialization for over more than a decade the trend of production and over consumption of processed foods in the developed nations have paved its way in the developing nations including India. Increased intake of spices and condiments and that of processed foods leads to an imbalance in intake of minerals such as Na and K and has been implicated as a risk factor in the development of hypertension, cardiac, renal, respiratory diseases, skeletal and neurological disorders. Elevated food expenditure of urban households on processed foods can be one of the reasons for an increase in above mentioned diseases.